Caterpillar Product Information

Operating Tips

Cat 24H

Index
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Differences 24H versus 16H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
MG/Truck Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Static Compaction Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
General Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Differential Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Wheel Lean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Moldboard Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Down Pressure Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Cutting Edge Sharpness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Cutting Edge Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Drawbar Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Spoil Pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Haul Road Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Spreading Dumped Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Shovel Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Narrow Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Ripper Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Roading the Grader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Ditching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Moldboard Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Drawbar, Moldboard, Circle Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Operating Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Machine Controls Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Monitoring System Torque Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Machine Controls Speed Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Cat 24H

Specifications

This handbook explains key features, specifications and

operating techniques of the Caterpillar 24H and 16H Motor
Graders. Both machines, and the techniques described herein,
are intended for use primarily in mining applications.
Operating Weight
Engine
Horsepower
Net Peak Torque
Torque Rise
Transmission
Moldboard

24H

16H

64 863 kg
143,000 lb

27 578 kg
60,800 lb

Cat 3412E w/HEUI

373 kW @ 2000 rpm
2397 kW @ 1300 rpm
30%

Cat 3406C
205 kW @ 1850 rpm
1376 Nm @ 1200 rpm
30%

Cat Power Shift

6F/3R

Cat Power Shift

8F/8R

7315 mm x 1067 mm x 50 mm 4877 mm x 787 mm x 25 mm

24' x 42" x 2"
16' x 31" x 1"

Tires

29.5R29

18.00x25 (12PR)
Optional: 23.5R25

Fuel Tank
Refill Capacity

1207 L
318 g

492 L
130 g

Speed Range

3.2 - 37.7 kph

3.9 - 44.6 kph

Wheel Base

10 230 mm
33'7"

7000 mm
22'10"

Cat 24H

Differences 24H versus 16H

Operator
24H is much larger grader less operator feel
48% more cutting edge downpressure
cutting edge wear characteristics
Transmission
24H has Torque Converter versus Direct Drive
Autoshift
Speed Control
Transmission neutralizer pedal versus inching pedal
Drawbar/Circle/Moldboard
24H uses dual circle drive motors
No blade linkage on the 24H, less blade positioning
Machine Controls
24H uses pedals, electronic versus mechanical linkage
Common PPPC hydraulic valves

Cat 24H

MG/Truck Growth
MG/Truck Growth
400

797

350

Tons

300
793

250
789

200
785

150
777

100

777

50
0

1975

1980
24H

1985
16H

1990
16G

1995

2000

OHT

Trucks have grown from a 75 ton truck in 1975 to a 360 ton

truck today.
The evolution of larger trucks has driven increases in:
- Travel speeds
- Haul road width
- Haul road compaction
- Depth of ruts
- Moisture pumping
The weight and horsepower of the 16G/H remained
relatively unchanged as trucks grew, which means:
- additional motor grader capacity is required, or
- more production is needed from existing motor
grader fleet
Note: Between 1975 and 1980, the 777 grew from a 75 ton truck to
a 100 ton truck.

Cat 24H

Static Compaction Areas

Compaction Areas
Percentage increase in static compaction area

18000
269%

16000

Sq. Inches

14000
12000
10000
91%

107%

8000
44%

6000
4000
2000
0
777

785

789

793

797

As truck size increases, static compaction areas increase

dramatically.

Cat 24H

General Tips

Always have the grader in the proper setup before beginning

the working pass.
Trucks must use caution when straddling windrows generated
by the 24H. The windrow will be taller than those generated
by 16G/Hs.
Differential Lock
When engine speed is above 1300 rpm, the 24H will operate
in Direct Drive. If engine speed is below 1300 rpm, the grader
will operate in Torque Converter Drive. Load factors can
influence the transition point. When operating in torque
converter drive for sustained periods of time, transmission
oil temperature will increase.
Always unlock the differential before turning.
Never lock the differential when tandem tires are spinning.
Reduce engine speed until tandems stop spinning, then lock
the differential.
8

Cat 24H

General Tips

Keep adequate distance between windrow and inside

of tire to prevent sidewall damage from sharp rocks.

Wheel Lean
Use wheel lean to counteract material side draft forces.
Lean top of wheels toward the heel of the moldboard.
Combine articulation and wheel lean when turning around
to reduce turning radius from 104' (straight frame) to 39'11".
This method eliminates the need for 3-point turn-arounds, a
possible safety hazard on busy haul roads. Note: Using max.
wheel lean and a full turn can create interference with the
steering stops and the front axle.
Wheels leaned in the wrong direction during a turn-around
cause the tires to roll over onto the sidewalls of the tire,
potentially damaging the tire and increasing turning radius.

Cat 24H

Moldboard Positioning

Moldboard tipped
forward

Fig. 1

Cutting position: top

of moldboard slightly
ahead of cutting edge

Moldboard racked
all the way back

Fig. 2

Fig. 3
280 m

Difference in cutting edge depth in rolling

MB back and tipping forward is 280 mm.

Use an aggressive forward tip for initial penetration of hard

packed material (see Figure 1).
Once penetration is made, the moldboard may be tipped
back for optimum cutting position.
Most standard road cutting applications use the top of the
moldboard slightly ahead of the cutting edge (see Figure 2).
Roll the moldboard back to carry and process material and
comb out oversized rocks (see Figure 3).

10

Cat 24H

Moldboard Positioning

Tip the moldboard forward to cut hard packed material and

tip it back for processing, carrying, and combing out oversized
rock. Be careful when tipping back: damage can occur to the
cutting edge support or pivot area.
Turn on blade cushion system when cutting.
Use the thinnest cutting edge that material and conditions
will allow. This will improve material rolling action and
increase moldboard downforces. It will also require less
horsepower to power the grader through the cut, improving
both fuel consumption and tire wear.

Cat 24H

11

Down Pressure Tips

Moldboard Down Pressure
Max. Moldboard Down Pressure
PSI
250

200

150

100

50
0
16H
25 mm

24H
28 mm

24H
45 mm

24H
60 mm

24H
75 mm

Cutting Edge Sharpness

This is the single most important factor for material
penetration and material action on the moldboard.
Most complaints of poor material action on the moldboard
are due to a dull cutting edge and incorrect moldboard
position.
The operator is responsible for keeping the edge sharp.
To sharpen the edge, roll the blade back when mixing
material or sweeping the roads.
For optimum penetration when cutting, tip the moldboard
forward.
A sharp cutting edge will reduce the amount of rimpull
required to push the blade through the cut, reducing overall
operating costs.

12

Cat 24H

Down Pressure Tips

Cutting Edge Thickness

The thickness of the cutting edge can have a large impact
on $/hr. It is important to understand that as you increase
the cutting edge thickness (28 mm to 45 mm, to 60 mm to
75 mm), that you are reducing the maximum amount of
moldboard down pressure per square inch of cutting edge.
The maximum down pressure of the grader remains
constant but that force is spread over a larger surface area.
Therefore, a thicker edge requires the operator to use more
down pressure to penetrate and cut material. Use of
excessive down pressure causes many negative results:
- increases rimpull requirements burning more fuel,
- increases frequency of tire slip accelerating tire wear,
- increase forces on the frame reducing component life,
- sends higher torque loads through the drive line
reducing component life,
- builds excessive heat on the cutting edge which can
exceed heat treat tolerances.

Cat 24H

13

Drawbar Positioning

Fig. 1
Material discharging
to the left and drawbar
shifted left

Fig. 2

When processing material, shift the drawbar in the direction

of the moldboard heel. This allows steep moldboard angles
while depositing material outside the tandem tires.
Slight adjustments to moldboard sideshift and drawbar
centershift can improve visibility to critical areas,
especially tires.
Use caution when making drawbar adjustments during
a pass. It can have a large effect on the cross slope.

14

Cat 24H

Drawbar Positioning

Fig. 3
When drawbar shifted to the left,
left cylinder is vertical, right cylinder is shifted.

View from the operators station showing proper setup to

discharge material to the left side of the grader. Note the
position of the lift cylinders. This indicates the drawbar is
shifted to the left, widening pass coverage and improving
visibility to the toe and heel of the moldboard.

Cat 24H

15

Spoil Pads

Divide the work area into sections. Work and complete one
section at a time to quickly remove the windrowed material
from the truck turn-around area.
Remove large rocks from a windrow before moving it across
the truck turn-around area.
Use caution when straddling large rocks to prevent machine
damage.
If the TTT has generated enough loose material near the berm,
it is not necessary to pull material from the dump berm.

16

Cat 24H

Spoil Pads

An alternate technique is to begin generating the windrow

approximately 2 pass lengths from your inside perimeter.
The first 2 passes will be away from the dump berm. Then
begin moving the material toward the dump berm.
Note: With any technique, it is important to minimize the
time a windrow of material is left in the truck turn-around
area. This will reduce the number of times a truck will cross
the windrow, thus reducing scattering of material and the
chance of truck tire damage.

Cat 24H

17

Haul Road Maintenance

Pull enough material from the berms to build up the road

surface and fill in low areas.
Leave rocks smaller than 2 in diameter on the road surface
to provide additional traction to trucks when the road
surface is wet.
Comb the larger rocks off the road surface. These can slow
the flow of water in the ditches and retard erosion.

18

Cat 24H

Haul Road Maintenance

Always begin road maintenance at one end of the working

section.
The windrow will serve as an indicator to the trucks that a
grader is ahead. When possible, make the initial pass in the
same direction as truck traffic, to avoid maneuvering around
oncoming truck traffic. This technique prevents leaving
bends in the windrow which could cause safety hazards
and production inefficiencies.

Cat 24H

19

Spreading Dumped Material

Material should be dumped on the road centerline in evenly

spaced piles to achieve desired coverage depth. The road
width and desired coverage depth will determine the
distance between piles.
Sideshift the moldboard towards the toe to maximize
amount of material that can be pulled from the pile(s).
Position grader in crab mode, with the front tires away from
the piles and the rear articulated so that the tandems are
running on the material being spread.

20

Cat 24H

Spreading Dumped Material

Work in the direction of traffic when pulling material from

the piles. This will help keep truck traffic moving, preventing
haul road congestion.
Spread material to the desired depth, and if possible,
spread the material in both directions to ensure even
material distribution.

Cat 24H

21

Shovel Pad

Break working area into sections to reduce the time a

windrow is in the work area. If possible keep a lane open
for haul trucks.

22

Cat 24H

Narrow Corridor

Use techniques described in the haul road maintenance

section.
Use articulation when processing the windrows to give
trucks better visibility around the grader and more room
to pass.

Cat 24H

23

Ripper Use

Rip in 1st gear only and begin at low throttle.

Proper use of the ripper (cutting high spots and fracturing
hard packed material) can help lengthen moldboard cutting
edge life.
Use the ripper indicator gauge in the cab to determine
the depth of penetration. This will allow the operator to
concentrate on the conditions in front of the grader.

24

Cat 24H

Roading the Grader

Sideshift the drawbar to the right and circle the moldboard

until it is inside the width of the grader. Use caution in this
position so that the moldboard does not contact the steps
or the tires.
NEVER articulate the grader toward the heel with the
moldboard and drawbar in this position.

Cat 24H

25

Ditching

1st Pass
Shift the drawbar toward the heel of the moldboard and
away from the ditch.
Tip the moldboard back so the top is behind the cutting edge.
This position prevents drawbar and lift cylinder mount
contact, and allows the moldboard to be carried at an
extremely steep angle while providing adequate clearance
from the tandem tires.
Use caution in this position to prevent heel of the
moldboard from contacting the steps and the toe of the
moldboard from contacting the front tires.
Raise the moldboard heel to maximize ditch depth and
reduce the width of the ditch foreslope. This steep angle
will help move the material up and out of the ditch bottom
and deposit it between the tandems.

26

Cat 24H

Ditching

2nd Pass (Shoulder Cleanup)

Articulate the rear of the grader and position the tandem
tires toward the ditch and front tires away from the
windrow (Crab Mode). This position keeps the front of
the machine from slipping into the ditch, allows steeper
moldboard angles preventing material from spilling back
into the ditch, and leaves a clean, sharp shoulder.
Material will be deposited outside the tandem tires toward
the road centerline.
Lean top of the tires away from the ditch to counteract
the side draft and prevent a rock in the windrow from
potentially cutting the tire sidewalls.
3rd Pass
Straddle the windrow and move the material as far as
possible toward the road centerline.

Cat 24H

27

Moldboard Angle
Effect of Moldboard Angle on Pass Coverage

24'
@ 0 Angle

20.9'
@ 30 Angle

Pass coverage is reduced as the moldboard angle increases.

Deposit material at least 18 from the tandem tires to
prevent potential sidewall damage from sharp rocks in the
windrow.

28

Cat 24H

Moldboard Angle

Pass Coverage
25.00

Coverage (ft)

20.00
24H

15.00

16H
16H Min.

10.00

24H Min.

5.00

0.00
10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Blade Angle (degrees)

Steeper Moldboard Angles

reduce rimpull requirements
improve material movement across moldboard
allow processing of large windrows

Cat 24H

29

Drawbar, Moldboard, Circle Protection

Compressed
nitrogen

Piston in
loaded

Piston in
unloaded

Hydraulic

Blade Lift Accumulators:

Standard equipment on 16H and 24H graders.
Protects the DMC area from damage due to vertical shock
loads by allowing the moldboard rise over imbedded rocks
in the haul road surface.
The blade lift accumulators should always be switched
ON during earthmoving applications.
Circle Drive Slip Clutch:
Standard equipment on all H-Series motor graders.
Protects the DMC area from damage due to horizontal
shock loads.
Can be adjusted to match operating conditions.

30

Cat 24H

Operating Speeds

Operating
Oper
ating Speeds
16H

(mph)

2.4
3.4

24H

Application

(mph)

2.0
3.1

Ripping

Sloping,
Ditching
Earthmoving,
Balancing Material
Road Maintenance

4.6
5.3
6.7
8.1
10.1
14.1
15.1

Travel

19.1
27.7

26.5

Earthmoving Speeds:
Typical applications are performed under 6 mph.
The 16H has four forward speeds under 6 mph, the 24H has
three forward speeds under 6 mph.
In many situations the 24H should be operated at one gear
lower than 16H because of differences in the gear ratios.

Cat 24H

31

Machine Controls Pedals

Pedal controls on the

24H are electronic
versus mechanical
on the 16H and 14H

Transmission Neutralizer

Service
Brake

Accelerator

Transmission Neutralizer Pedal

use when starting or stopping the grader
can be used to put grader into torque converter drive
Service Brake Pedal
hydraulically actuated versus air actuated
acts as a secondary brake if brake pump output fails,
brake accumulators provide enough pressure to safely
stop the grader
if fully depressed, the transmission will be neutralized
Accelerator Pedal
used to increase or decrease ground speed
will not reflect the relative position when SPEED CONTROL
is engaged

32

Cat 24H

Monitoring System Torque Converter

Indicator Light

Torque Converter
Oil Temperature

24H is the only Cat motor grader model with a torque converter
Indicator Light will illuminate when the grader is in
converter drive and not direct drive
Monitor the torque converter oil temperature when
operating in converter drive
Can be engaged manually by depressing the transmission
neutralizer pedal half way OR
Will be engaged automatically if the engine RPM drops
below 1500

Cat 24H

33

Machine Controls Speed Control

On/Off
Switch

Set/Resume
Accelerate/
Decelerate

Turn on Speed Control Press top half of switch

When desired speed is reached, press the top half of the
SET/RESUME switch
System will maintain a constant SPEED
Can be adjusted faster or slower in 1.6 kph (1 mph)
increments via the Accelerate/Decelerate switch
Depressing the service brake pedal will disengage the
speed control system
To resume operators preset speed press the bottom half
of the Set/Resume switch
System is active in gears 2F-6F only

34

Cat 24H

Notes

Cat 24H

35

The information contained herein may contain unverified analysis and facts observed
by various Caterpillar or Dealer employees. Effort has been made to provide reliable
results regarding any information comparing Caterpillar built and competitive
machines. Effort has been made to use the latest available specifications and other
materials in the full understanding that these are subject to change without notice.
Any reproduction of this release without the foregoing explanation is prohibited.

TEJB6093
December 1999
www.CAT.com
1999 Caterpillar
Printed in U.S.A.